The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) has released the
results of a survey taken of the U.S. Congress which showed strong
opposition to increasing the federal excise tax on beer to finance
health care reform.

The March 28-31 survey was taken during the NBWA/Brewers Joint
Legislative Conference, held in Washington, D.C.

"Members of Congress know that increasing the beer tax destroys
jobs, raises taxes on working Americans and punishes people who drink
beer moderately and responsibly," said NBWA President Ronald A.
Sarasin. "The survey also sends a strong message to President
Clinton's Task Force on National Health Care Reform that increasing
the beer tax will be difficult to enact."

Over 53 percent of members of the U.S. House of Representatives said
they would oppose a beer tax to finance health care reform, while only
12.4 percent said they would support it. Another 17.7 percent of House
members had no position and 17 percent did not respond.

Similarly, opposition to a beer tax increase was strong in the
Senate, with 48 percent saying they would oppose the tax increase. Just
11 percent said they would favor a tax raise to pay for health care
reform, while 14 percent had no position, and 27 percent did not
respond.

"The beer tax was just raised 26 months ago, on January 1, 1993,
and it cost this nation 31,000 jobs and lost revenue," Sarasin
said. "Congress appears to understand another tax increase would
have negative economic consequences."

The survey results parallel those taken by the Gallup Organization
for Bonner & Associates of newly elected members of Congress, which
showed significant opposition to increasing the federal beer tax. The
Gallup poll was taken in December of 1992.

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